Derbyshire County Cricket Club has recorded a profit of £1,145 for the financial year ending December 2014.

It is the club’s fourth successive year of surplus and signifies Derbyshire’s progress towards long-term sustainability and continues the significant turnaround since Chris Grant’s election as chairman in 2011 on the back of a £187,037 loss.

The profit was helped after the club attracted its first-ever stadium naming rights deal with 3aaa Aspire Achieve Advance as well as taking the number of local businesses in the 1870 Business Club to over 80 and retaining Membership income to within 2 per cent on the back of relegation.

“Achieving this financial result is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved as we strive for continued growth behind the scenes in order to fund our on-field goals.

“It’s important that we now continue the momentum and move forward as a business during the current year.

‘It remains our overriding aim to maximise revenue from all sources in order to support further investment on the cricket side’

Derbyshire CCC chairman Chris Grant

“This will include growing our NatWest T20 Blast audience and 1870 Business Club Network of local businesses supporting the Club.

“It will also be a key focus for us to take the opportunity provided by our recent £1million facilities investment to create a great experience for our Members and to become the new venue of choice for events in Derby.

“Our continual growth as a business will also help us support the local community, to generate jobs and to bring more business into Derby from around the region.”

Chairman Chris Grant added: “It remains our overriding aim to maximise revenue from all sources in order to support further investment on the cricket side; ultimately being a winning team and also one that produces England cricketers.

“The year 2014 saw further huge strides forward, particularly in attracting the biggest sponsorship deal in our history with 3aaa Aspire Achieve Advance; and in the ongoing partnership discussions that allowed us to recently announce the backing of Derby City Council for investment in our facilities. “We are thankful for the support of all our members, supporters, sponsors, 1870 Business Club members and conference customers for their loyal support.

Derbyshire’s investment in cricket is continuing to increase, backed by business growth and supported by a programme of facilities investment, in partnership with the England & Wales Cricket Board and Derby City Council.

The club is targeting continual growth as a business in forthcoming years following a £1millon investment in facilities during the current close season and a further £2.4million pledged for the next three years.